Gulf | Bahrain

Bahrain: Rallies banned in wake of car blast

Manama: Bahrain on Thursday banned a march south of the capital Manama, warning that participation would entail legal procedures for breaking the law.

“The march called for by some societies on July 19 from Khamis to Shaikh Aziz Mosque is not authorised and participation in it is illegal,” the Ministry of Interior posted on its Twitter account.

The ministry also banned a rally planned in an open area in front of a Shiite community centre (maatam) on Friday.

“The rally is not authorised and participation is illegal,” it said on its microblog account.

The twin bans by the ministry were announced after a car exploded in the parking area of a mosque in Riffa, south of Manama, as worshippers were performing the Isha (evening) and Taraweeh prayers. The interior ministry said that gas cylinders were used in the explosion.

The car blast was promptly condemned by the country’s leaders and major political figures and societies amid calls by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa for the arrest of the perpetrators.